Public Art Map
The pubic art map highlights some of the community’s favorite works of public art! Take a self-guided tour and be sure to tag #BePartOfTheArts or @YumaArtCenter in your visit.
Public Art Map
Public Art Guide
On the Yuma Art Center
The exterior of the Yuma Art Center proudly and prominently displays two murals, one by internationally acclaimed artist MOMO on the back of the center completed in 2018 and one by renowned muralist Eltono on the South facing side of the building above the Historic Yuma Theatre which was completed in 2019. Both murals were generously gifted to the Yuma Art Center by the McKivergan Foundation with in kind contributions from the Historic Coronado Motor Hotel, LG Paint, Plaza Paint, and Sun Rentals. During his 2018 artist residency, MOMO also created several smaller scaled murals throughout the Downtown area, including several trash enclosures.
Sculptures on Main Street
The Yuma Art Center oversees the City of Yuma’s sculpture collection including many works of art found in Historic Downtown Yuma. Notable pieces include three train sculptures by Shanen Aranmor which were completed through a Union Pacific Railroad Beautification Grant. Recent sculpture aquiisions also include “Nada” located in front of the Yuma Art Center which was donated by artist Antonio Jose Arce. Also in front of the center is, “Sky and Mountain Ribbon Piece: Wars and Rumors of War” by artist George Goyer. This large work of art originally stood in the front of the Yuma Art Center at the Depot location. It was donated to the Yuma Fine Arts Association in 1985 by Betty Williams on behalf of the Bess Fox Varner Fund. The sculpture was acquired by Ray and Val Drysdale after the Depot fire and was prominently and publicly displayed at their residence on Arizona Avenue for over two decades. It was donated by the Drysdale family to the City of Yuma’s public art collection in November 2019 to live once again in front of the Yuma Art Center.
Summer Mural Program
For over 20 years, the Yuma Art Center has coordinated the Summer Mural Program which has educated and employed area high school students. Through a special partnership with Arizona at Works, the program engages local youth each summer in “art boot camp” where participants pick up a paint brush for the first time. Over the course of two months participants learn life and job skills through the arts which culminate with a collaborative and community-centered work of public art. Prominent mural projects can be seen on the Yuma Civic Center, Desert Sun Stadium, Kennedy Pool, Yuma Readiness Center, John Morris Cottage, Joe Henry Optimist Center, United Building, North End Community Center, and at various Parks and City facilities.
NexGen Mural a Month Program
The Yuma Art Center has been fortunate to partner with NexGen Leadership Council on the Mural a Month Program which has coordinated several murals throughout the Yuma area. With funding from the Arizona Community Foundation and private sponsors, the center has assisted in administering and coordinating the following mural projects: Adry Del Rocio’s mural on Del Sol Market, Lupoli’s “Greetings from Yuma” mural, Alonso Delgadillo’s murals on the School of Beauty and MGM Design, Ruben Poncia’S mural on Alice Byrne Elementary School among others.
Arizona Creative Communities Institute – DIY Murals
The AZ Creative Communities Institute (AZ CCI) offered small teams, made up of diverse members of Arizona communities, a unique opportunity to explore the many ways creativity can be put to work for positive community impact. AZ CCI teams became part of an active learning network, learning from and with local and national experts, as well as peers from other Arizona cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Under AZ CCI, Team Yuma developed the DIY Murals Project, a public art initiative with the goal of cross-pollinating community members and beautifying the community. DIY Murals is an ultra-participatory project that puts paint brushes directly in the hands of the community to paint a mural together! But why? Because the arts transcend barriers! From language to location, we know the arts have the power to bring a community together and build civic pride. In October 2018, three murals were created: one on the Foothills Library, one at the Big Curve in front of Lowe’s in Yuma, and one in the PPEP Park in San Luis. In 2019 additional murals were completed at Roxaboxen Park in Yuma, City Hall Courtyard in Somerton, Rolls and Bowls Restaurant in San Luis, and on the Music Building at Arizona Western College in the Foothills. Team Yuma includes: Abraham Andrade, Owner of Rolls and Bowls and Co-Founder of Chicano Art Collective, Lindsay Benacka (Team Lead), Arts and Culture Program Manager for the City of Yuma, and Isaac Russell, a Director at Littlewood Fine Art and Community Co-Op and Ann Wilkinson, Theatre Professor at Arizona Western College. The project was designed in part by artists Brad Downey, Lia Littlewood, and Lucinda Yrene ‘La Morena’ and community members, Maria McKivergan and Cari Jean Nelson.
Interested in public on your property or donating to the community?
Contact Ana P. Padilla, Arts and Culture Program Manager at Ana.Padilla@yumaaz.gov.
